The Teaching of Buddha

by Bukkyo Dendo Kyokai, George Tanabe (Editor)

Selections from the basic scriptures of Buddhism.

Genres: Religion, Philosophy, Buddhism, Nonfiction, Spirituality, Reference, History

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1966

Reviews

[Benito · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the Gideons Bible of Japan - it's in every hotel room drawer - Thailand also I hear. It's a good introduction to Siddharta's sutras, and has some of the great similes and tales that Buddhist writings are famous for, but it's very much a traditional Japanese Buddhist reading and some of the more 'religious' stuff in the later chapters contains many of the things that more liberal Buddhism eschews, i.e. concepts of Hell, sin and deification. However, as with all of Buddha's writings, it's important to remember that the old man himself always saw his scribbles as open to argument and debate, which is what separates Buddhism from what we know of as organised religion - at it's best Buddhism is an unreligion, or antireligion... or just the philosophy of one cat who had an epiphany when his mother died [when he was still a child:] that all life led to sickness and death and went off to have a crazy wandering life with a fair few insights into just how the human mind works along the way...

[Robert Kenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book to increase my understanding of Buddhism. While I learned a few new things, much of the philosophy I was already familiar with, perhaps because the fundamental philosophy of Buddhism is fairly simple (though living it is not). I like Buddhism's promotion of kindness and respect for nature and animals. However, I think its definition of enlightenment seems ultimately unattainable by human beings in its purest form, due to human nature. The primary focus of this book was erasing desire for things of this world, and thereby preventing suffering. But how bland would life be without any desire for the opposite sex, success on one's career/personal passions? Very, in my opinion. There also seemed to be a few contradictions about violence and killing.
The book had some interesting anecdotes that made you think, but like many texts of this nature, was extremely repetitive. I think you probably could read the first 1/3 of the book and not miss any super important additional points.

[Christina Rothfusz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This books was left in a hotel room in Bangkok, I started paging through it at first, but managed to read through it in the 2 days we spend there.

I enjoyed the book and believe that if I was religious I would be a Buddhist.

Highly recommended.

[Beth Ohrenschall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to keep this book by my bed, to read a bit every night.

[Eny Rebel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Сэтгэл тавьгүй ч юмуу уншмаар санагдсан үедээ байнга хардаг ном

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Teaching of Buddha is an educational text on the Buddhist religion and what it entails in practice. In essence, this book is the Buddhist equivalent to the Christian Bible or Judaism's Torah in that those texts outline the rules of the religion and provide some background into their roots and purposes. It reads pretty dry and isn't too stimulating, but if you are looking for the basic precepts of Buddhism in one compact book, then The Teaching of Buddha should probably be your first stop.

One interesting thing I learned about Buddhism is that this is one of the few religions – perhaps even the only one – in the world that does not worship a deity. No, Buddha is not a God. Rather, he is simply an important figure in the Buddhist religion, of the same vein as a prophet. Also, Buddhists appear to be the most peaceful people in the entire world. Their rules dictate nothing but the strictest obedience to love and kindness and all that other good stuff for nature, animals, people, and ourselves. It sounds very nice but grueling to put into practice on a daily basis.

I don't think of Buddhism as a religion, but rather as a philosophy by which one bases their entire life. If you look at Buddhism from a philosophical perspective as opposed to a theological one, then I think the value of the belief, as well as its validity in this world, changes for the better. In any given religion, you have to accept their creed as all or nothing, for better or worse; there is very little room to maneuver within a strict religion without being deemed "blasphemous" or an "infidel" or "sinner." Whereas with any philosophy, you can pick and choose what makes sense to you and form your own world view from there; nothing is set in stone, and everything is negotiable, so to speak. I think a lot of what Buddhism has to offer is worthy of consideration whether you are religious or not, and if practiced loosely like a philosophy rather than strictly as a religion, it seems like it has much of value to offer. That being said, I do not agree with everything Buddhism preaches – though none of its teachings seem overtly harmful to humanity as with some of its more radical contemporaries.

In the end, Buddhism is a philosophy that has some nice ideas but is ultimately too strict in practice to be a feasible religion and far too idealistic to be rational in the kind of world in which we live. If I had to take anything from The Teaching of Buddha, it would have to be the respect one must show to the Earth and all of its creatures. I can't think of another religion that holds animals and the environment in such high regard, so that's a major plus. This religion/philosophy is an interesting one to take a look at and might be worth your time to look into a bit, if for nothing else than to quell your curiosity.

[Meili Enni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Хүн бүрийн заавал унших ёстой ном гэж хэлмээр байна. Амьдралын үл учирыг нь тайлах эргэлзээг энэ номноос тайлах болно. Мэдээж маш их бодрол,эргэлцүүлэл дагуулсан санагдсандаа. Энэ номыг уншиж байх явцадаа нэг сайхан бясалгалын хөтөлбөрт хамрагдаж суусан минь маш том аз завшаан байсан шүү. Зөвхөн шашины ном гэж нэг үзлээр туйлшралгүй бурхан багшийн сургааль гэж үзэн унших хэрэгтэй. Магадгүй таны хайж буй асуултын хариулт энэ номонд байж буй магад.
ухаарал өгсөн сургаалийн хэсгээс нь мөн өөрийн амьдралдаа хэрэгжүүлж үр дүн гарч буй сургаалийн хэсгээс:

💕 хатуужил тэвчээртэй байхыг сурах хэцүү ч,эцсийн эцэст алдрын титмийг тэвчээртэй хүн л хүртдэг.
💕 ертөнц энэ буйгаараа мөн чанаргүй билээ. Сэтгэлдээ элдэв санаархалыг арилгах замыг хайх хэрэгтэй. Төөрөгдөл гадаад нөхцөл байдалд бус харин сэтгэлд төрж буй болдог. Сэтгэлийн хүсэл хүний зовж зүдэрдэг тэрхүү гай гамшгийн галыг асааж бадраана. Мунхагаас болж төөрөгдөлийн харанхуй,сэтгэлийг хучиж хүн уй гашууд автаж,гуньж гутардаг. Чухамхүү энэ сэтгэл л төөрөгдөлийн байшин савыг бүтээн буй болдог.
💕 өгсөнөө өгсөн гэж бүү бод. Бардах буянаас , мартах буян нь илүү гэдгийг санаж,энэ нь ухаалаг зөв зүйтэй үйл мөн хэмээн түүнийг дага.
💕 хүн цэвэр ариун амьдрах ёстой. Гомдооход гомдох хэрэггүй. Ховдог хомхой сэтгэлтний дунд байхдаа ховдог хомхой сэтгэлтэй бүү бол. Аливаа юмны тухай бол миний юм гэж бүү бод.

мэдээж хамгийн чухал агуулга бол бүх зүйлс хувиран өөрчлөгддөг. Энэ амьдрал МӨНХ БУС 🙋🏻‍♀️👶🏻👵🏻🙏🙏🙏 Саду . Саду. Саду

[Marian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book, with basic information on the teachings of the Buddha. However, it seems a little biased towards Amidism/Shingon/Pure Land type of worship and less towards actually abiding in your True Nature, like the Buddha did.

I believe that it is necessary to follow the Buddha in order to be a buddhist, and to follow the Buddha is to be a Buddha. Chanting and worshiping is not what the Buddha did.

Nevertheless, the book has good information, especially if you are new to Buddhism.

[Lo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some helpful anecdotes and beautiful teachings, but hard to appreciate as a woman who does not find her purpose in serving her husband. The tenants of Buddhism are instructive and peaceful, but hard to stomach after reading the chapter on women’s roles. Of course this text is dated, and many religions have grown to be more inclusive, but it’s frustrating to seek spiritual guidance and learn (again and again) that my goal should be to serve and be subservient.

[Christian Baloga · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are two books that have inspired me more than any other, and this is one of them! It has shaped me into who I am today and I would be a different person if I had not read this in grade school. I am grateful to have found this at my local library! It helped me at a time when I needed it the most. Please read this book!

[Jason Harris · Rating 1 out of 5]

I learned much from reading this book. I was surprised by how philosophically unsophisticated Buddhism is and how deeply out of touch it is with Western ideals. I would encourage anyone, Christian and Buddhist included, to read these writings. I have found that the best place to look to see if something is right or wrong is at it's best proponents. This volume makes me more confident than ever that Buddhism is dangerous and false.

[Undrakh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Гараа угааж байгаад л эмээгийн хажууд суугаад уншдаг байсан ном байгаа юм. Үлгэрүүд, үйл явдал нь сонирхолтой байдаг байсан санагдаж байна. Бурхны шашны сургаалуудыг сорчлон түүвэрлэсэн. Өөрийнхөө “би” гэсэн үзлээс салж амар амгаланг олох тухай санааг сайн ойлгохын тулд уншаад өмнө нь анзаарч байгаагүй хэсгүүдтэй таарлоо. Ер нь сэтгэл дэх зөрчлүүд ийм ийм гээд тайлбарлаж байгаад тэдгээрээсээ салахын тулд бурхны сургаал дагах хэрэгтэй юмаа гэсэн санаагаа олон талаас нь нотлох гэсэн агуулгатай.

Махаяанаг дэлгэрүүлэх, гэгээрэлд хүрэх, Бурхны сургаалийг дагах нь бүх асуудлын бүрэн шийдэл юм аа гэж байсан болохоор зарим хэсэг дээрээ уншихад жаахан хүнд байсан. Бөө мөргөлийн зан үйл, Бурхны шашин хоёр хоорондоо зөрчилдөх, эсвэл дайсагналцах зүйлгүй ээ гэж найдвартай байх эх сурвалжаас сонсож байсан чинь, “...Тэд ямар ч хэцүү хориг тавьсан, зөв сургаал ямагт түгэн дэлгэрч байсан учраас бөө шүтэгчид Модгальяанаг алж, улмаар Бурхан багшийн гар хөлгүй болгохоор шийджээ.” гэсэн хэсэг таарахын.

Бас эмэгтэй хүнийг онцлон тусгасан зарим хэсгүүд дээрээ “...эмэгтэй хүний сэтгэл амгалан тайвнаа алдаж, буруутгах нь хялбар буй. Эмэгтэй хүн ховдог шунахай тул бусдад атаархаж, бусдаас харамлаж байдаг. Эрэгтэй хүнийг бодвол гэгээрэх замд нь саад бэрхшээл их учирна.”, “...эр нөхөр нь эхнэртээ гэрийн ажлаа даатгаж хааяа гоёл чимэглэл өгч байвал зохистой” гэсэн байсан. Нэг зурганд орохгүй байгаа юм.

Санаж явах зүйлс олон байсны хажуугаар, ийм өөрчлөгдөхгүй шууд итгэл бас жаахан айлгасан.

106-“...Үнэхээр энэ хорвоод бүх юм урсан улирч, түргэн өөрчлөгдөж, тогтвортой, найдлагатай юу ч байхгүй бүлгээ. Ийм нөхцөлд байгаа хэрнээ бүгд л зугаа цэнгэл хөөцөлдөх нь ихэд гунигтай юм”

127-“...Нэр алдар, эд баялаг, гоё чамин юмны хойноос хөөцөлдөж буй хүн зөгийн бал түрхсэн хурц иртэй илдийг долоож буй хүүхэдтэй адил юм. Амтат балыг долоож байгаад хэлээ зүсч болзошгүй.”

133-“...Хэрэв орчин тойрон нь сайн бол хүн ариун сэтгэлтэй, төлөв даруу, амгалан тайван байж чаддаг. Гэвч орчин тойрон нь хувиран өөрчлөгдөж, өөрийнх нь эсрэг хандвал тийм хэвээр үлдэж чадах уу?”

143- “...Муу, сайн хүмүүс зан чанараараа ялгарна. Муу хүн нүгэлийг эс ухаарч, түүнийг үйлдэхээ зогсоож эс чадна. Тэрбээр нүглийнх нь тухай хэлэхэд дургүйцэнэ. Сайн хүн буян, нүглийн тухай ойлголттой болой. Тэрбээр нүглийг танимагц, үйлдэхээ зогсоож, нүдийг нь нээж өгсөн хүнд талархан баярладаг.”

163-“...Тиймээс хүн сонголт хийх ёстой. Тэрбээр өөрт нь хамгийн чухал, хамгийн хэрэгтэй нь юу вэ? Гэдгийг шийдэж, өөрийн хамгийн гол асуудлыг шийдвэрлэхэд сэтгэл юугаа бэлдэхээс эхлэх ёстой юм.”

181-“...Хэрэв өглөгийнхөө дараа харамсах юм уу, өгсөндөө биеэ тоох зан гаргавал энэ нь жинхэнэ өглөг биш ээ. Сайн үйл бүтээсэндээ баярлан хөөрч, өглөгийн эзэн өөрийгөө, юу өгснөө, хэнд өгснөө мартаж чадвал сая жинхэнэ өглөг болно.”

187-“...Зөв сургаал сонсоод байн байн эргэцүүлэн бодож, сурч судалж, дагаж мөрдвөл түүнийг ухаарна. Бодож эргэцүүлэхгүй, дагаж мөрдөхгүй бол, сонссон ч эс ухаарна.”

201-“...Гомдооход гомдох хэрэггүй. Уйтгар гунигийн цаг ирэхэд уйдаж гуних хэрэггүй. Ховдог хомхой сэтгэлтний дунд байхдаа ховдог хомхой сэтгэлтэй бүү бол. Аливаа юмны тухай бол миний юм гэж бүү бод.”

227-“...Орон гэрийг түйвээх зургаан үүд нь ууж согтуурах, үдэш орой болтол найрлах, хөгжим, театр зэрэгт ухаанаа өгч хөөцөлдөх, мөрийтэй тоглох, муу хүнтэй нөхөрлөх, ажлаасаа зугтах эдгээр болой”

231-“...Хүн нөхөрлөж болох хийгээд үл болох хүнийг ялгаж сурах хэрэгтэй. Нялуун үгтэй, бялдууч зантай, шунахай хүн болон үрлэгэн этгээдтэй нөхөрлөж болохгүй.
Хүнд хэцүү цагт чинь туслаж, баяр баясгалан, уй гунигийн алийг ч хуваалцахад бэлэн, зөв зүйтэй үгээ харамгүй хэлдэг, нигүүлсэнгүй сэтгэлтэй хүнтэй нөхөрлөж болно.
Чамайг буяны замаас хазайлгахгүйн тулд нүд эс салгаж, сэтгэлдээ чиний төлөө зовж, гай зовлон тохиолдоход тайтгаруулдаг, хэрэгтэй үед чамд туслахын тулд өөрийгөө ч үл хайрлаж, нууцыг чинь хадгалж чадах, үргэлж зөв зүйтэй зөвлөлгөө өгдөг тийм хүнтэй үерхэж, түүний төлөө зүтгэх ёстой.
Ийм найзтай болох амаргүй тул, хүн өөрөө бусдад иймэрхүү анд болохыг хичээвэл зохино. Сайн хүн өөрийн зөв үйлийн ачаар бусдын хувьд наран болдог билээ. “

263-“...Гомдол гомдлыг үл тайлна. Түүнийг гагцхүү мартан цайруулж болно”

[Peter · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was informative, but dry, at least in translation. It lacked the lyricism and mystery of the synoptic Gospels, or the dramatic punch of the Taoist tales. I found that there were many lists. There are three things to avoid. But then, later, there are six other things to avoid. There are five things to do, then later, more things to do. There are causes for human misery, then there are other causes. It does not have the appeal of a system, and seems somewhat ad hoc.

The fables are at first, very odd, but also, all explained. Every symbol and metaphor is laid bare. But humans love a mystery. Each of us wants to feel like she has discovered a secret. And one great thing about the synoptic Gospels is that the parables there are only sometimes explained. Frequently there is no explanation, or no clear explanation, and these are the best of all. Why did Jesus curse the fig tree? Why is the disloyal steward rewarded? What is the secret of the bread and the loaves? What is the leaven? Sometimes Jesus even loses his temper at his slow disciples. Here, however, all mystery is removed.

In further contrast, Taoist tales don’t explain themselves clearly either. They are not laid out like a patient on an operating table. The characters talk to each other and talk past each other and you come to understand how the statements of one side are completely going over the head of the other side. And then you begin to see.

But back to Buddhism. Ultimately, the reason for human misery is attachment, and you must concentrate on severing that attachment to achieve peace. That is a wonderful insight. But how do you sever attachment? How can I cease to be attached to my children? This seems between very hard and impossible. Not surprisingly, this is what Christianity teaches as well. No, not that crass Walmart Christianity … not the prosperity gospel … not the crusading Christianity of the paranoid … the other Christianity … the one that says abandon your possessions, leave your family, do not be of this world … that one. So few of those.

[Samuel Saul Richardson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I'm not sure how I feel about reading these books. You don't read the Bible straight through and decide to be a Christian because that would be horribly boring. Yet I'm not sure how to approach other religious books where I don't have the religious or cultural background.

It was cool that it was bilingual. One page in English, one page in Japanese. I'm nowhere near able to read Japanese but I'll have to read it again once I improve my fluency I guess.

#SelfTaughtReligion #Buddhism

[Marilyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very similar to the Judeo-Christian Bible, but more peaceful

[Rafael Isidoro · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uma forma bem clara e didática de explicar os conceitos da doutrina. Usem e abusem do glossário no final! Ajuda bastante a entender o significado do texto.

[Thatcher · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book up in a second hand store a few months back. I read it cover to cover, even the Sanskrit glossary of terms with English meanings.

At the age of 68, and just somewhat out from under cancer surgery and radiation treatment I’ve renewed an old interest in Buddhism, mostly because it is so not Christianity. Until you get ahold of the passages in this book that speak to a reverence for the Buddha that’s Christ like. But like any good religion there is a whole forest of sects and thought groupings around the origin, often debated source.

This view of essentially the very matured Japanese version of Mahayana Buddhism, based on actual texts is rewarding but hardly the end of my inquiry.

All on my own it occurred to me this work is pretty much the Gideon bible version of Buddhism then I read the GB blurb here which says pretty much exactly that. This book is present in a multitude of hotel rooms all over the world.

Stay tuned for my review of Old Path White Clouds. If I didn’t do a review of Karen Armstrong’s book on the Buddha, I should. That’s gonna get a reread along the way soon.

[Ethan · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's fine. Religious texts are always a little clunky to read because that kind of language makes it sound more prophetic. A lot of ideas and beliefs in it can more or less be summed up into a few larger ideas, but there is a very large sense of masculine narcissistic traits held by Buddha (this is just the way this is written though, and might not hold true in other versions/languages). As well, the use of countless metaphors makes it a little dull, as some statments don't need an additional way of explaining them.

[Denar · Rating 4 out of 5]

“As a net is made up of a series of ties, so everything in this world is connected by a series of ties. If anyone thinks that the mesh of a net is an independent, isolated thing, he is mistaken. It is called a net because it is made up of a series of interconnected meshes, and each mesh has its place and responsibility in relation to the other meshes.”  Oh wow, am I reading physics here?

[Chimeddolgor Ch · Rating 5 out of 5]

Бодь мөрийн зэргээс өмнө үүнийг уншсан юм. Надад хамгийн их нөлөөлсөн номнуудын нэг. Үүнийг уншиж бясалган сахил хүртсэн мэт дэглэмтэй байсан тэр өдрүүд намайг аз жаргалтай амар амгалан болгожээ. Гэхдээ байнга уншиж бясалгаж боловсрохгүй бол урьд хичээл зүтгэлийн үр шим хүчээ алдана... Сэтгэл гэдэг хамгийн их хяналт, боловсрол шаарддаг зүйл ажээ.

[Alexandra S · Rating 2 out of 5]

Исках да разбера какво Е будисткото учение. Тази кн��га помогна за тази цел, но извън това е потискащо скучна. Може и да има начин будистките възгледи да бъдат разказани хем информативно, хем интересно, но не е този.

[Tillman Norsworthy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good introduction to the sutras and philosophy of the strongest collection of Eastern ideas put to mind. More of a gateway to further reading than anything to stake oneself on.

[Justin Fry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredibly wise if a bit hard to understand. But still a good read through. Yeah.

[Ethan Sholom · Rating 5 out of 5]

Forgot I read this a while back. This is what got me started

[Austin]

Like the other two major spiritual texts I've read this year (The Quran and The Bible), there's a lot of warmth here, with maybe more nuggets of translatable wisdom than the other two. Or maybe not; the more major Holy books I read, I feel like internal contradictions/pauses in empathy aren't entirely frustrating—they're almost 'necessary' to fully appreciate the human-nuances the books themselves are trying to articulate.

Here, Enlightenment is the goal and everything is cyclical. Beginnings and endings. To everything there is a season.

[Moira McPartlin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought this book in Hong Kong in 2008 because I was interested in the culture and thought and like the English/Chinese text. When I got home it was shoved into a bookcase and forgotten. At the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic I began meditating and, being interested in all philosophy, I thought this would be a good companion to that. I read a section every morning. It turns out it is an English/Japanese text and is the Japanese equivalent to the Gideon's Bible in Japan.
I found it really interesting to read and there are some great teachings. But as usual women have a very subservient role in these teachings.

[Wui Wang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes I did finish this book cover to cover. I learned in better details of the philosophy of buddalism. To me, the teaching of Buddha is more of a teaching of greater compassion as in Mahayana, rather than religion. What's great and interests me the most is that the development of buddhalism is accompanied with the flow of history of Asian countries. The concept of Mahayana is saving all and acceptance of suffering, which is great but not that I totally agreed with it . All in all, a great little book and worth recommending .

[John · Rating 4 out of 5]

A selection of Buddhist teachings from various sources, this book (15th edition) is highly recommended. Nicely categorized for quick reference. Often given free in Hotels and other locations in Asia. My edition is bilingual in English and Chinese. The only problem is with one of the indices, the one that lets you know from which source the selection is taken. It is sometimes difficult to understand without referring to the Chinese.

[Mazen Alloujami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Je viens de lire la traduction française du livre.
C'est un bon livre qui détaille l'enseignement bouddhique en général, avec une orientation vers l'école du le Terre Pure.
Le livre est d'une grande valeur pour les débutantes, mais contient trop de détails à mon sens.

[Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book is fantastic. I am sure a second read is in order.